On Rosh HaShana, we pray and beseech Hashem for a new year of good things, parnasa, and life, for ourselves and our family. The Shevet Mussar (R’ Eliyahu ben Avraham Shlomo HaKohain of Izmir, Turkey – 1650-1729) offers some tools for assuring success, especially in trying financial times.
He writes: “If a woman sees that her husband has difficult in his livelihood, she should not ask so many questions (e.g. What are we going to do, how will we pay for..., when are you going to get a job). Rather, she should pray for him, morning, noon and night, in her merit, his merit, and the merit of their children. Further, she should smile a lot, and offer him words of encouragement. This will cause him to love her more and infuse him with happiness. That will drive away his worries and strengthen and improve his [mazel.]” This will result in a blessing in the areas where Chazal tell us mazel plays a role, such a life, parnasa, and children. “For his part,” he continues, “the husband should buy his wife small gifts and express his appreciation of her. Neither of them should take the other for granted.”
This is the secret to a good year. Let us pray for each other and encourage each other, and may Hashem bless us with happiness and all good things.
Thought of the week:
The best way to request a sweet new year, is by first thanking Hashem for the goodness He gave you last year.
